Field of View Calculator

Use this calculator to test how deep sky targets will appear your equipment.

This new Hubble image, captured and released to celebrate the telescope’s 23rd year in orbit, shows part of the sky in the constellation of Orion (The Hunter). Rising like a giant seahorse from turbulent waves of dust and gas is the Horsehead Nebula, otherwise known as Barnard 33. This image shows the region in infrared light, which has longer wavelengths than visible light and can pierce through the dusty material that usually obscures the nebula’s inner regions. The result is a rather ethereal and fragile-looking structure, made of delicate folds of gas — very different to the nebula’s appearance in visible light.

To bring up a field of view, select the telescope with the left-hand drop-down menu, then select the eyepiece or camera with the right-hand drop-down menu. Then click on ‘Objects menu’ to choose the object you wish to view. Finally, hit submit to generate the view. If your equipment is not in the lists, you can enter its details in the relevant text boxes.

If you are currently deciding which telescope to buy, take a look at our equipment review section.

More tips and advice are available for newcomers in our beginners’ section.

Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine in print or digital for up to date advice and guides to practical astronomy, and reviews of the latest kit.

Provided by David Campbell